"The State of Israel ... will ensure complete equality of social and political
rights of all its inhabitants irrespective of religion ... it will guarantee freedom
of religion and conscience." - May 1948)

Civil marriage is one of the most encumbered issues in the Jewish state

For first time, Orthodox NGO campaigns for civil marriage in Israel

Civil marriage is one of the most encumbered issues in the Jewish state, but the Modern Orthodox organization Ne’emenei Torah Va’Avodah began a campaign Sunday advocating for the introduction of such a possibility in Israel.

'You will just marry through us' video by Modern Orthodox organization Ne’emenei Torah Va’Avodah

As we have stressed in the past, one of the most encouraging developments in the area of struggle for marriage freedom in Israel is the growing support for this cause coming from Modern Orthodox groups and activists. For some, it is a personal protest against an increasingly rigid and fundamentalist Chief Rabbinate, represented by a growing number of Orthodox couples who choose to marry outside the Rabbinate's auspices. For some, it is a realization that as much as they are personally committed to halakha, they also recognize the rights of others who do not share their commitment and should be entitled to realize the basic civil right of marriage in their own ways.

One such compelling example was covered by the Jerusalem Post on March 26, as quoted below, providing yet another example of the wide usage of Hiddush's survey data, as a necessary context for this new development.

"Civil marriage is one of the most encumbered issues in the Jewish state, but the religious-Zionist organization Ne’emenei Torah Va’Avodah began a campaign Sunday advocating for the introduction of such a possibility in Israel."

"The group, which is on the liberal end of the religious-Zionist community, says it is the first time a religious organization has called for civil marriage, which is generally considered to be an anathema to religious communities and leaders."

"To start the campaign, NTA created a comical, animated video underlining the problems inherent in the monopoly of the Chief Rabbinate over Jewish marriage in the state."